Tlily730

I told my mom this past week. I started out by telling her I was researching something and I wanted to share it with her. I told her I care about her and her opinion, but I wanted her to understand that I was going to do this regardless. We sat and discussed it, discussed my history with diets and weight gain, and she told me she understood where I was coming from. I showed her a lot of before and after on Instagram and Facebook about people around my age and my height/weight. She’s still going to research it, she says, but she’s been helping me plan a good day for surgery that works for both me and my job, as well as hers and her job.

Update: I told my mom, since I want her to be my companion when I go to OCC.

She reacted well, I was worried she’d be judgmental. I made it clear that this was something I was going to do and that while I do care what she thinks, it’s something I’m doing regardless. She’s worried for me because it’s surgery, but it’s been positive, and she thanked me for confiding in her.

I told my mom this past week. I started out by telling her I was researching something and I wanted to share it with her. I told her I care about her and her opinion, but I wanted her to understand that I was going to do this regardless. We sat and discussed it, discussed my history with diets and weight gain, and she told me she understood where I was coming from. I showed her a lot of before and after on Instagram and Facebook about people around my age and my height/weight. She’s still going to research it, she says, but she’s been helping me plan a good day for surgery that works for both me and my job, as well as hers and her job.

Agreed. My surgeon doesn't offer lap band anymore either.

Hi there!
You will be hard pressed to find a reputable surgical team that will suggest lapbands anymore (It was not even an option at my practice only revision surgery from lapband to something else was offered)
As for the type of surgery you choose, I would suggest a frank conversation with your team regarding your specific realistic likely outcome & about all the factors that will influence this (that they have seen such as age, genetics, race, medical issues, gender, etc) and ask a ton of questions including revision/recidivism rates for the surgeries they offer (no one really wants 2 surgeries when 1 will do), longest term success rates, most/least complications, most managable post op lifestyle, GERD & Hair loss, etc then go with the best option for you.
Good luck

Sometimes it is hard for people to understand. The concept of surgery itself scares people. I have heard people say things like you can just diet. However, my parents were supportive. They have seen me struggle and try my best. I think surgery was the best decision I have ever made. I told my direct team at work also. It is nice when people notice changes!

My wife went with me to the first visit with the surgeon. My parents hated the idea, but my mom is one of those people who think they know more about medicine that doctors. In fact, when I told her, she said something like "well maybe it's X Y or Z?" I told her I was tested for those things and she said that the doctors were all wrong. Other than that, I've told my close my close friends, but nobody else. At work I was vague as to why I was going to be gone for 2 weeks.

I am pretty open about it also. Most of my family and friends realized that I have worked VERY hard throughout with minimal results. If someone does not understand my decision then just be it. Weight loss surgery is a tool and is NOT easy. You still have to control your cravings and eat healthy. You still have to workout. So, the decision is yours. Also, if my journey can help someone, then why not?

Only my husband and children knew from beginning. Ibtold my co-workers about a week before my leave. Which they were ALL very supportive. I get it, its hard. Some ppl tend to judge and think its the "easy way out" but trust and believe there is nothing easy about this process.

Go on your own time

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My surgery is tomorrow and I have my husband, children, and mom. My insurance company offered to send a nurse if I wanted.

I didn't tell anybody. I still haven't told anybody. A few people have asked "How are you losing your weight?" and I just shrug it off or say, honestly, "Diet and exercise"

I didn't need help.

I think Dr Ortiz is an excellent choice! I wish you all the best!

I had a desk job at the time (I'm retired now). I took off three weeks, but I probably could have gone back after two. I felt OK and was doing things like driving again - although I was still pretty tired and still trying to figure out the eating thing - what would sit well with my stomach, etc. I'm glad for the third week because of that, but again, if I had to, I could have gone back after two.

I was so excited to finally change my life for the better, I was excited that this was going to help me feel better and finally not feel sick all the time anymore .. I told all my immediate family and mostly all other family members and friends .. most of them were and are super supportive and always cheering me on .. and there are some that didn’t agree with my decision and also said certain unpleasant comments .. honestly, I wouldn’t change it because the support and positive comments out way the negative.. also I’ve inspired people in different ways .. I always see it as I don’t care what people say because at the end of the day I’m doing it for me and my health I am choosing to live! It takes courage and strength to do this and we have that .. but don’t feel that you have to tell anyone because you don’t owe no explanation to no one.. always do whatever is going to make you happy

my immediate family knew as well as a few close friends, but that's about it. I became slightly more open about it as time went on, but it's still something I don't share with everyone.

I have been open about WLS from the moment I made my decision. I explained why it was important for my health and what my motivations were (to kick type 2 diabetes to the curb and to be able to survive to see my wee-lings graduate and marry someday). Almost all people in my life have been immensely supportive and have been cheering me on through the prep and surgery process. A few have expressed concern or doubt, but I've taken those opportunities to educate them. And ultimately I reminded them that this is my body, my choice. People don't question a cancer patient undergoing chemo or radiation, and that's putting poison in their body (on a most basic level). This surgery is just as life saving.

Ultimately it's your choice to tell or not. I'll leave you with one final thought. Everything will likely go very well for you, but heaven forbid you are in the very small percentage of people who have complications... would you want to walk through that alone? Who would you want at your side?

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I didn’t really need help after surgery. I did stay with my mom the first 2 weeks after but I didn’t need her help with anything. When I went back home my husband took over walking the dog since he pulls on the leash and I was still sore and weak.

I had the house cleaned to within an inch of its life before surgery, and stocked up on stuff like toilet paper, paper towels, bottled Water, cat food and litter, etc. I had paper plates and plastic cutlery to use to cut down on dish washing. I have one of those robot vacuums, and knew she I could run her every day anyway. The rest of the family were on frozen dinners and take out for a while after - I didn't really care what they were eating, tbh, and they didn't starve. My husband had to do all the fetching and carrying for 2 weeks until I was cleared to drive - that was the toughest part actually, as he just assumed that I'd take the kids to all their appointments and activities because apparently I'm the default parent.
I barked orders at my daughters from the sofa a lot (12 and 11) - and if all else failed I would get up and painstakingly start to do things myself, and then the guilt would kick in and they'd do whatever needed done (esp laundry).
We muddled through - but prep was the key. I pre-bought everything I possibly could to stock up, and spent about a month before surgery de-cluttering the house to minimise the amount of cleaning that would need to be done.

Yes, but I'm 54 and depending on your age and capabilities you will do fine.
My daughter stayed with me and helped cook for my husband, do laundry etc.

No more than usual, Tomkitten and I did just fine. He did my fetching and toting, but since I already have shoulder restrictions anyway, he was pretty cheerful about it, he knows when you add things up it balances out, what he can't do I do in return.

I didn’t need help, but it was nice to have.

I've needed a bit of help to walk up the stairs to our front door the day I came home and to retrieve things fallen on the floor, but really everything else I could manage on my own from the outset. That said, I had prepped pretty well for my family and it's kind of nice being pampered a bit.

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My mom came for the surgery and helped take care of my daughters so my husband didn't have to take 3 days off work while I was in the hospital. But once she got me home I didn't need assistance and she left early with my blessing.

my husband was home that first week and it was great having him there to get things for me, etc, but I probably could have managed on my own if I had to. Other than it being sort of a struggle to get in and out of bed the first couple of days (very sore abs!), I got around OK and felt fine.